Distroscale

When it comes to finding work, being a woman and an immigrant is the double whammy, according to a study released today by Marie-Thérèse Chicha, a professor of industrial relations at the Université de Montrál.

Chicha study, which was funded by the Canadian Race-Relations Foundation, suggests even immigrant women who were highly qualified professionals, spoke French, and had lived in Canada for several years found it difficult to secure decent work. In interviews with 44 women with university degrees, Chicha said many reported they were either unable to find work or were compelled jobs far below their skill levels. Women from visible minority communities were most likely than others in the study group to complain of having to take jobs far below their academic qualifications. Juggling the demands of family life and childcare responsibilities made it more difficult for women to find work in their own field, resulting in over-representation in jobs where the pay is low, work conditions are lousy and benefits few.

“The accumulation of difficulties and a strong feeling of helplessness in understanding the obstacles and surmounting them leads to psychological distress for many of these immigrants in Quebec,” says Professor Chicha. “While many of these women expected to develop professionally in Quebec on an equal footing, it ends up being a mirage in most cases. Although many immigrant women do succeed in Quebec, many admit they would not do it again.” View on Montreal Gazette

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